Dog Heart Murmur: Holistic Vs. Conventional Treatment

by Sunny S.
(Spokane, WA, USA)

Jerimiah is a 10 yr 9 month old redbone coonhound with a grade 3-4 heart murmur. Ultrasound confirmed the source of the murmur is his right mitral valve. He was diagnosed 1 yr 4 months ago and given 1-2 yrs to live, however his murmur hasn't increased nor has his heart enlarged.

He sleeps a lot these days but his current vet says he doesn't have any signs of heart disease. When he isn't sleeping he is active and enjoys romping around in the forest or playing with me or his toys.

Last time his teeth were cleaned was 1 yr 7 months ago, a few months prior to detecting his murmur. His teeth could use a cleaning now but his vet said they aren't that bad. I would rather not put him under sedation. He eats only raw food and gets ubiquinol and vitamin E supplement.

The vet recommends that he take enalapril or something similar to prevent heart failure. Instead I've given him hawthorn berry mixed with his food and have been wondering if I'm giving him enough or too much. They are dried organic berries that I mill to a powder and give him one well rounded teaspoon twice a day.

I have no idea if this is a therapeutic dose and am wondering if perhaps I need to give him heart meds instead to help prevent heart failure and to make him feel better.

Comments for Dog Heart Murmur: Holistic Vs. Conventional Treatment

Hi Sunny,
If Jerimiah has no symptoms of congestive heart disease such as coughing, blue-tinged tongue or exercise intolerance, after almost 1 1/2 years from diagnosis, then your treatments are doing something right!

Regarding dosage for the supplements you are giving him:

1. CoEnzyme Q10 or Ubiquinone, the oil form in gel capsules are more effective than the dry form, according to Don Hamilton, DVM, in his book, 'Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs'. The dose for dogs is 1 mg/lb daily in the oil form, and up to twice this amount in the dry form.

2. Vitamin E, 5-10 IU/lb one time daily

3. Hawthorn (dried concentrated extract) 1-3 mg/lb three times daily
Hawthorn tincture 3-5 drops per 10 lbs bodyweight, 2-3 times daily
Of the dried fruit (or berries) 30mg/lb two times daily. I am unable to calculate for 'rounded' teaspoons, to convert to mg. You may have to consult with a pharmacist for that!

You might also check into this supplement by Standard Process that also contains Hawthorn, (Crataegus spp)called Canine Cardiac Support

Regarding his teeth, perhaps he will chew on a raw turkey neck or chicken breast two to three times per week to help his teeth? Or even some of the man-made tartar control treats after each meal, would be helpful. Ones that are 'endorsed' by the Veterinary Oral Hygiene Council, (VOHC) should be good.

Also, I would NOT advise that he be vaccinated. If he is due for a Rabies vaccine, you should seek the help of a holistic veterinarian to write an exemption form.

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Feb 09, 2015

Follow upby: Sunny Stimson

So I can give him 30mg twice daily of the whole berry? Yes he gets the oil ubiquinol. I will look into standard process and the chews. About the vaccinations, he is due pretty soon for his parvo/distemper and his rabies was due in 2013. He had a cancerous tumor removed from his leg in 2012 and just last summer his spleen ruptured due to a non cancerous tumor so it was removed. Decided to never vaccinate him again after the cancer but had been considering it so he could go to doggy daycare. Thank you so much for all of your advise! This has been a big help.

Hi Sunny,
The dose for Hawthorn 'fruit' or berries is 30mg/lb two times daily. If Jerimiah weighs 70 lbs his dose is 30X70 or 2,100 mg or 2.1 gm of berries TWO times daily.

I do not know how much the dried berries weigh, so I do not know how many grams to tell you is in a teaspoon. A pharmacist may be able to help.

You wrote,
RE: "....vaccinations, he is due pretty soon for his parvo/distemper"

Don't worry about giving him any more.

You wrote,

"...and his rabies was due in 2013. He had a cancerous tumor removed from his leg in 2012 and just last summer his spleen ruptured due to a non cancerous tumor so it was removed. Decided to never vaccinate him again after the cancer"

Good for you!

You wrote,
"...but had been considering it (vacc) so he could go to doggy daycare."
Just have a veterinarian write him an exemption for the daycare to say that he has been examined and has no contagious or infectious disease. Due to his past medical history of cancer and with congestive heart disease he should NOT receive any more vaccinations.

A holistic veterinarian might be more agreeable to this than a 'conventional' vet!

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Disclaimers: The information contained in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a pet owner/site visitor and his/her local veterinarian(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

In the spirit of full
disclosure, we wanted to let you know that we proudly support this
website through advertising and affiliate marketing. In other words,
when you click on a link that takes you outside of this website, we
often earn a small commission. These small commissions allow us to keep
the site up and running and to continue offering it completely free of
charge to you. Rest assured that all content, recommendations and
advice are created before, and are independent of, any sponsorship or
affiliate relationship. Click
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